Maternity centre’s first Oscar!

Baby Oscar Schofield came into the world just 16 minutes after the official start of the midwifery-led maternity centre at the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton.

Lisa Schofield, of Aiskew near Bedale, with baby Oscar, left, alongside Rebecca Thompson, of Nevern Crescent, Ingleby Barwick, with her newborn son, who were both born on the first day the new maternity centre in the Friarage Hospital, Northallerton was in operation.

Oscar’s nursery nurse mum Lisa and husband Andrew, of Aiskew near Bedale, had been expecting this moment since his due date five days previous, but 7lbs 1oz Oscar’s arrival at 8.16am on Monday (6 October) brought great joy to the pair and his elder brothers, Oliver, six, and three and a half year-old Sydney.

Sydney was also born at the Friarage and after the great care Lisa received then, she was adamant that ‘baby number three’ was going to be delivered there also.

Lisa, 31, said: “I was aware that Oscar was due as the change to a midwifery-led unit was due to take place, but the staff were fantastic. Absolutely brilliant. The main difference I noticed is that now you have a room to yourself instead of moving onto a ward. The room I was in was spacious and very comfortable and later in the day I was discharged home.”

Oscar’s arrival was followed just over six hours later by ‘baby’ Thompson. The little boy, who is yet to be named, is the second son to Rebecca and Chris Thompson of Ingleby Barwick. He arrived at 3pm, weighing 9lb 15oz.

HR advisor Rebecca, like Lisa, gave birth to her previous son Cameron in the Friarage three years ago and echoed Lisa’s comments.

The 31year-old from Nevern Crescent, said: “Cameron was born at the Friarage, as it was the nearest available maternity bed on the day, and as soon as I knew I was expecting again I put this unit down as my first choice.

“The level of care I received on both occasions has been outstanding. Everyone from the midwives to the catering staff, nothing was too much trouble. This is how a maternity unit should be friendly, personable and caring and I think mums-to-be need to be reassured that it is staffed by highly competent and deeply caring staff.”

Deborah Hebblethwaite, midwife manager at the Friarage maternity centre, added: “Yesterday was a strange day in that it felt new, but it was capped off with the delivery of two lovely little boys. We are all looking forward to continuing to provide the care for lots of mothers and their babies at the new Friarage maternity centre.”